Closed panel building systems

ABSTRACT

Approaches describe a panel system (e.g., a closed-, open-, and/or solid-panel system) that can be assembled quickly and easily in the field without field modifications to the panel. The panels can be precision engineered, and include a building connection system for structural and/or utility connection between building elements. An interpanel connector can include a structural connector, a utility connector, or a combination connector that is both a structural and utility connector. A control component or another appropriate component can be used to automatically facilitate coupling of one or more building elements, and provide feedback on the assembly process.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/659,433, entitled “CLOSED PANEL BUILDING SYSTEMS,” filed Oct. 21,2019, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/846,539, entitled CLOSED-PANEL BUILDING SYSTEMS,” filed on May 10,2019, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

As the need for more buildings and other structures increases, there isa corresponding increase in the need to efficiently construct suchbuildings and structures. One such approach uses prefabricated panels toreduce the overall construction timeframe of a project. In conventionalapproaches, however, the frame of a prefabricated panel is open on oneside to allow an installer to attach the panel to other panels. Once thepanels are connected, utilities and insulation can be installed in theopen panels. Although in some situations such panels may reduce theoverall construction timeframe of a building, a disadvantage to thesepanels, is the site installation of utilities, insulation and panelfinishes. This requires additional time and resources, which increasethe overall cost to the customer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure will bedescribed with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an example situation using a closed-panelbuilding system in building construction in accordance with variousembodiments;

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate a wall panel structural frame with machinedfeatures for mounting connector components and capable of being loadedwith structural and MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) systemsin accordance with various embodiments;

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate an external mounted utility connector inaccordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates the connections between adjacent wall and floorpanels in accordance with various embodiments;

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate block diagrams of a connector system of theclosed-panel building system in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example process for automatically couplinginterpanel connectors in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a foundation adaptive interface inaccordance with various embodiments;

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate various views of a panel alignment elementpairing in accordance with an embodiment;

FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, and 9D illustrate various views of a panel alignmentmechanism for a wall panel to floor panel alignment element pairing inaccordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative panel alignment mechanism inaccordance with an embodiment; and

FIG. 11 illustrates an example computer system, in accordance withvarious embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the disclosure are discussed in detail below.While specific implementations are discussed, it should be understoodthat this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled inthe relevant art will recognize that other components and configurationsmay be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Systems and methods in accordance with various embodiments of thepresent disclosure may overcome one or more of the aforementioned andother deficiencies experienced in conventional approaches toconstructing buildings or other structures using prefabricatedassemblies. In particular, various embodiments describe a panel system(e.g., a closed-, open-, and/or solid-panel system) that can assemblequickly and easily in the field (e.g., a construction site) withoutfield modifications or at least minimal modifications to one or morepanels. The panels in various embodiments can be precision engineered,and include a building connection system for structural and/or utilityconnection between building elements. The system can be automated suchthat a control component or another appropriate component canautomatically facilitate coupling of one or more building elements andprovide feedback on the assembly process.

For example, building elements such as a closed-panel can includeinterpanel connectors configured for structural and/or utilityconnection between building elements of a structure or othersubstantially closed cavity. An interpanel connector can include astructural connector, a utility connector, or a combination connectorthat is both a structural and utility connector. In an embodiment, astructural connector can be used to support at least a portion of a loadassociated with a structure and a utility connector can be used totransfer a utility through a portion of the structure. An example of aload can include, for example, weight distributed over one or morepanels or building elements or other section of the structure. Examplesof utilities include, for example, fluid (e.g., water, oil, lubricant,etc.), gas, electricity, communications data, air, plumbing, or waste.It should be noted that although the building elements described hereinare closed-wall panels and closed-floor panels (“closed-panels”),embodiments described herein can also be in used in other types ofbuilding elements, for example, open-panel, solid-panel, bathroom podsor kitchen pods. It should also be noted that the connections(“interpanel connections”) between building elements can be used forbuilding elements that are open, closed, or solid fill.

In various embodiments, a control component can be used to automaticallyfacilitate coupling of one or more building elements. For example, stateinformation can be received at, for example, a control component oranother appropriate component. The state information can be determinedfrom, for example, information such as position information,environmental information, force information, resistance information,capacitance information, pressure information, stress information,torque information, alignment information, etc., associated with aconnection between panels and/or interpanel connection components andcollected by one or more sensors.

The state information can be compared to an appropriate threshold, suchas a dimension stable threshold used to determine a change in dimensionthat is outside an acceptable deviation. Thresholds can include, forexample, at least one of a position threshold, resistance threshold,capacitance threshold, inductance threshold, pressure threshold, torquethreshold, stress threshold, temperature threshold, or humiditythreshold.

A determination can be made whether the state information satisfies anappropriate threshold. In the situation where the state informationsatisfies the threshold, the next building element (e.g., panel and/orconnector) can be processed. In certain embodiments, a notification canbe presented. The notification can include at least one of a visualnotification, an audible notification, a haptic notification, a digitalsignal, an analog signal, or an electronic message notification. In thesituation where the state information does not satisfy the threshold,the state information can be processed to generate control information.The control information can be used to control one or more buildingelements. For example, control information can be used to adjust one ofpower, speed, orientation, location of an actuator. In another example,the control information can be used to cause an actuator to engage witha motion mechanism. Additionally, or alternatively, in certainembodiments, a notification can be presented indicating that thebuilding elements have yet to be processed, manual inspection may berequired, user-input is required, among other such actions. Thereafter,current state information is obtained and the process continues asdescribed herein.

Various other functions and advantages are described and suggested belowas may be provided in accordance with the various embodiments.

FIG. 1A illustrates an example situation 100 in which a panel buildingsystem is used in building construction in accordance with variousembodiments. It should be understood that reference numbers are carriedover between figures for similar components for purposes of simplicityof explanation, but such usage should not be construed as a limitationon the various embodiments unless otherwise stated. The panel buildingsystem can include closed-, open-, solid panels, a combination thereof,and the like. In an embodiment, a closed-panel is manufacturedpre-fitted, service and utility channels routed, and in certainembodiments, elements such as windows, doors and plaster are already inplace. In various embodiments, the external and internal walls of aclosed-panel are complete. An open-panel is manufactured with theinternal side of the panel element unsheathed. Insulation, servicechannels including utility channels such as electricity, water, waste,etc., building elements (e.g., windows, doors, plaster, etc.), and thelike are taken care of at the construction site. In an embodiment, asolid-panel can include, for example, solid precast concrete with rebar;precast concrete sandwiching insulation. In certain embodiments, thesolid-panel may include the same, more, or fewer construction elementsas the closed-panel.

The building construction can include, for example, apartments,condominiums, single-family housing, multifamily housing, officebuilding, retail, commercial, industrial, storage facility, partitionwalls and or other types of building. Although office building 102 isillustrated, it should be noted that various structures (e.g., high-risebuildings, houses, restaurants 104, co-working buildings 106) or othersubstantially closed structures/cavities and in certain embodiments openstructures (e.g., office floor layouts) can be constructed as well usingthe closed-panel building system.

In this example, building 102 is constructed with wall panels 120, 160,and floor panel 140. In accordance with various embodiments, panels 120,160, and 140 can enable an intelligent blind connection system whichsupports interpanel connection components that can be used forstructural and/or utility connection between panels. As used herein,blind connection refers to a connection where the mating surfaces of themale and female components of the connector are not visible to anexternal observer. In conventional building systems, the frame of aprefabricated panel is open on one side to allow an installer to attacha panel to other panels. Once the framing has been completed, utilitiesand insulation can then be installed in the open panels. Although insome situations such panels may reduce the overall construction time, apotential disadvantage to this method is that the utilities structuralconnectors, insulation and surface finishes still need to be siteinstalled. This requires additional time and resources, which isinefficient. Further, many conventional open panels lack (1) dimensionalprecision of the frames, (2) dimensional stability over time withrespect to environmental conditions (e.g., temperature and humidity),(3) precision in locating and mounting connection components within theframe of a closed-panel, (4) an intelligent blind connection system thatworks for both structural and utility (e.g., water, fluid, electrical,waste, venting, gas, air, HVAC, etc.) connections, (5) a means ofcommunicating panel location and component connection feedback data and(6) means to address the imprecision in the foundation.

Deficiencies 1, 2, and 3 result in tolerance stack up problems. Ingeneral, tolerance stack-up occurs when two or more building elementshave key features that should engage; however, the tolerancing of thedimensions of the parts cause a misalignment such that the engagement ofthe key features is no longer possible or at least requires more than athreshold effort. For the case of the closed-panel system, if thetolerance stack-up is greater than the ability of the connectorsubsystem to absorb that misalignment, then the connection may not bemade. In various situations, there is more than one set of features thatengage between two assemblies. This increases the probability that theengagement of one or both of the features will be compromised.

For example, consider a situation where 16 connections are to be madebetween a wall panel and its surrounding wall and floor panels. It ishighly unlikely that all of those connections can be independently madegiven the lack of precision in conventional closed-panel systems.Furthermore, alignment depends on the accurate alignment of the panelsas well as the accurate alignment of the utility connectors. Everyconnector adds a degree of complexity, making it difficult to achieveusing conventional wall and floor panel construction methods.

Deficiencies 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 are about the lack of precision ofconventional panel systems. Deficiency 1,2 and 3 can be addressed by thefollowing:

1. Materials used are stable with respect to environmental conditions.For wood-based panels, the materials can be moisture sealed engineeredwood, such as Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) Parallel Strand Lumber (PSL)Oriented Strand Board (OSB), engineered wood. glass and or compositereinforced material. Both LVL, PSL and OSB have low thermal expansioncoefficients. A moisture seal provides a barrier to the ingress ofmoisture into the wood, which could induce dimensional changes to theframe.

2. Panels are machined using precision equipment such as computernumerical control (CNC) equipment. CNC machining is a manufacturingprocess in which pre-programmed computer software dictates the movementof factory tools and machinery. The process can be used to control arange of complex machinery, from sanders grinders and lathes to millsand routers. With CNC machining, three-dimensional cutting tasks can beaccomplished in a single set of prompts. The accuracy of CNC equipmentis dependent on the resolution of the feedback device in use—usuallyhigh-resolution digital encoders are used which have accuracy to1/1000th of a mm. This serves to both create the precise dimensionalframe but also to precisely locate connector components within theframe.

Accordingly, in accordance with various embodiments, approaches describeherein a panel system (e.g., closed-, open-, and/or solid) that includespanels that include structural, utility, and/or a combination structuraland utility connectors that can adjust for micro misalignment in thetolerance stake up of panel-to-panel placement, where the ability toadjust for micro misalignment can be represented as:

(tolerance of the placement of connector's mating halves)<(connectorsystem's capacity to absorb a misalignment)   Eq (1)

Panel to Panel tolerance stake up+Panel misalignment−trueposition=connector absorption tolerance   Eq (2)

As is described herein, the structural connector is configured to enableat least one of support a portion of a load associated with thestructure or align a pair of building panels of the plurality ofbuilding panels, and wherein the utility connector is configured toenable transfer of a utility through a portion of the structure, andwherein the combination structural and utility connector is configuredto enable at least one of the support the portion of the load associatedwith the structure, align the pair of building panels of the pluralityof building panels, or transfer the utility through the portion of thestructure, and wherein the utility includes at least one of fluid, gas,electricity, communications data, air, or waste.

FIG. 1B illustrates panel alignment and connection of building panels120, 140, 160. In one embodiment, the connections of wall panel 120 withfloor panel 140, and of floor panel 140 with wall panel 160, providestructural support for building 102 and allows for transfer ofutilities. The frame 121, 141, 161 of a building panel 120, 140, 160 canbe precisely machined (e.g., by a CNC machining process) to providemounting locations 122, 123, 124, 125 for connector system components.

In one embodiment, a structural connector component 126, an HVACconnector component 127, a water connector component 128, and anelectrical connector component 129 are mounted and attached to the frame121. Intra panel components are loaded into the wall at theircorresponding connection component. In one embodiment, intra panelcomponent of the ducting for the HVAC system 130 is placed into the walland attached to the HVAC connector component 127. The intra panelcomponent of the piping for plumbing 131 is placed into the wall andattached to the water connector component 128. The wire and/or conduitfor the electrical system 132 is placed into the wall and attached tothe electrical connector component 129.

In this example, an interpanel connection may be formed when the HVACconnector component 127 of wall panel 120 couples with HVAC connectorcomponent 143 of floor panel 127. Likewise, structural connectorcomponent 126 of wall panel 120 may couple with the structural connectorcomponent 142 of floor panel 140. Water connector component 128 of wallpanel 120 may be coupled with water connector component 144 of floorpanel 140. Electrical connector component 129 of wall panel 120 may becoupled with electrical connector component 145 of floor panel 140.Panels may be more complex in order to support the structural connectionand utility transport between adjacent floor and wall panels.

In accordance with various embodiments, connections between wall panel120 and floor panel 160 can be hybrid connections containing bothstructural connections and utility connections. Generally, thestructural connections should engage first. The sequence of engagementprovides the precision alignment to secure the utility connections andstrain relief to isolate the utility connections from structuralstresses. In other embodiments, connections can be formed between wallpanel to wall panel, wall panel to floor panel, or floor panel to floorpanel.

The frame 121, 141, 161 of building panels 120, 140, 160 may be made ofmaterials that remain stable with respect to environmental conditions.Such materials may include moisture sealed engineered wood (e.g.Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) or (PSL) Parallel Strand Lumber OrientedStrand Board (OSB)), or engineered wood with glass reinforced compositemesh. The panels can include at least one of a moisture control barrier,a temperature control layer, a weathering layer, an insulation layer, afire protection layer, a window frame, or a door frame. The materialused to construct the panels can include, for example, at least one ofplywood, densified wood, fiberboard, particle board, oriented strandboard, laminated timber, laminated veneer, laminated veneer lumber,cross laminated timber, parallel strand lumber, laminated strand,transparent wood composites, composites, polymers, metals, or fiberglassmesh.

In an embodiment, the panels can have dimensional precision andstability. For example, the panels can be constructed such that a widthdimension, a length dimension, and/or a height dimension satisfyrespective dimension thresholds over a range of values for at least oneenvironmental condition (e.g., temperature, humidity, etc.)

A panel alignment mechanism or element alignment embedded in a panelplaces building panels 120, 140, 160 in proper position prior toconnection. The panel alignment mechanism can engage two adjacent panelswith relatively large offset from true position and can reduce theoffset as panel alignment elements become fully engaged. In thisexample, wall panel 120 may have a panel alignment element 134 on thetop and bottom (not shown) of the frame 121. Floor panel 140 may have apanel alignment element 146 on top and bottom (not shown) of the frame141. The panel alignment element at the bottom of the frame 121 engageswith panel alignment element 146 on top of frame 141, forming panelalignment between building panels 120 and 140. In accordance with anembodiment, one way to distribute point loads at the structuralconnection to a different area of a panel is through the panel-to-panelalignment connectors. Another way to distribute the load of thestructural connector is through multiple connection points from theconnector to the frame. Additional details on the panel alignmentmechanism will be discussed in FIG. 7, below.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C illustrate the sequence of events 200 that enablethe accurate placement of the components of the connector system inaccordance with an embodiment. In this example, frame 201 is preciselymachined (e.g. by a CNC machining process) to provide mounting locations202, 204, 206, 208, 210 for one or more connector system components, asshown in FIG. 2A. Next, connector system components 222, 224, 226, 228are mounted into and attached to the frame 201 as shown in FIG. 2B.Finally, FIG. 2C shows how the intra panel components (i.e., the ductingfor an HVAC system 244, the piping for plumbing 246, and the wire and orconduit for an electrical system 248) are placed into frame 201. Inaccordance with an embodiment, one example placement approach includesprecisely machining cutouts on frame 201 to provide a mounting location202 to fit a structural connector component 222, a mounting location 204to fit an HVAC connector component 224, a mounting location 206 to fit awater connector component 226, a mounting location 208 to fit anelectrical connector component 228, and a mounting location 210 to fit apanel alignment element (for example, element 134 of FIG. 1B). This isfollowed by attaching structural connector component 222 to mountinglocation 202, attaching HVAC connector component 224 to mountinglocation 204, attaching water connector component 226 to mountinglocation 206, attaching electrical connector component 228 to mountinglocation 208, and attaching a panel alignment element to mountinglocation 210. The ducting for the HVAC system 244 is then attached tothe HVAC connector component 224. The piping for plumbing 246 isattached to the water connector component 226. The wire and or conduitfor the electrical system 248 is attached to the electrical connectorcomponent 228.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C and 3B illustrate an embodiment of a utilityconnector 300. FIG. 3A shows a front perspective view of utilityconnector 300. FIG. 3B shows a side view of utility connector 300. FIG.3C shows a front sectional view of utility connector 300. As described,a utility connector can be used to transfer a utility through a portionof the structure. Examples of these utilities include, for example,electrical power, electrical communication, water plumbing, waste andvent plumbing, gas, mechanical venting. A utility connector can be, forexample, externally mounted. In one embodiment, connector 300 connectsto the frame from the outside of the panel. This enables the panels tobe assembled prior to installing the utility connections. Utilityconnector 300 includes a first portion 320 and a second portion 330. Thefirst portion 320 is mounted to the frame of a first panel. The secondportion 330 is mounted to the frame of a second panel. The coupling ofthe first portion 320 and second portion 330 connects the panels,creating an interpanel connection and enabling transfer of a utilitythrough utility connector 300. In an embodiment, the utility connector300 is rack 342 and pinion 344 activated. In an embodiment, it caneither be activated manually, by an electric source, a battery source, ahydraulic source, or a pneumatic source. The connector has sensorsembedded in it to locate the position and verify that the connection isadequately made. The sensors provide feedback to the operator. Thesensors can provide long term feedback over the life of the connectorsuch as leak detection, material failure in a connector. The rack 342and pinion 344 can be engaged by manual-based motion, pneumatic-basedmotion, hydraulic-based motion, electric-based motion, magnetic-basedmotion, or electro-magnetic-based motion

FIG. 4 illustrates example 400 of the connections between adjacent wall420 and floor 440 panels, in accordance with various embodiments. Inthis example wall panel 420 has 16 connections, with 8 structuralconnections 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408 and 8 utilityconnections 409, 410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416. In anotherembodiment, connections could be a hybrid containing both structuralconnections and utility connections. For example, connection 401 can beboth a structural and utility connection. In accordance with anembodiment, the structural connections should engage first. Thissequence of engagement provides the precision alignment to at least athreshold level to secure the utility connections and strain relief toisolate the utility connections from structural stresses. For example,structural connection 401 is engaged first to connect wall panel 420 andfloor panel 440. Structural connection 402 is also engaged to connectwall panel 420 and floor panel 440. Then, utility connection 409 forHVAC system can be engaged to enable transfer of HVAC utility betweenwall panel 420 and floor panel 440. Utility connection 410 for plumbingcan also then be engaged to enable transfer of water between wall panel420 and floor panel 440. In various embodiments, the structuralconnection can be made first and then the MEP connection which can allowfor the positioning of the panels in in the correct location, or atleast within a threshold location a reference or other such position.

FIG. 5A illustrates a block diagram 500 illustrating functional elementsof a connection system in accordance with an embodiment. In thisexample, the connection system includes an interpanel connectioncomponent 501 operable to connect a first building panel to a secondbuilding panel. The interpanel connection component 501 includes a firstportion 502 and a second portion 504. The first portion 502 of theinterpanel connection component is attached to the first building paneland the second portion 504 of the interpanel connection component isattached to the second building panel. In an embodiment, an interpanelconnection 501 is formed when the first portion 502 of the interpanelconnection component couples to the second portion 504 of the interpanelconnection component in accordance with a threshold criteria. Thethreshold criteria can include a threshold distance, alignment, etc. Incertain embodiments, one or more criteria are met to satisfy aconnection.

The first portion 502 of the interpanel connection component containsthe drive mechanism 512 and coupling mechanism A 508. The drivemechanism includes a motion mechanism 514 and a motion translator 516.The second portion 504 of the interpanel connection component includesthe coupling mechanism B 510.

Actuator 506 provides energy/power 534 used to create movement thatcauses coupling mechanism A 508 and coupling mechanism B 510 to mate.For example, drive mechanism 512 translates the actuator motion intocoupling mechanism A 508 motion via a motion mechanism 514 that couplesto the actuator 506 and a motion translator mechanism 516 whichtranslates the actuator motion to a directional motion to advance thecoupling mechanism A 508. In accordance with an embodiment, the sourceof the energy/power source can originate from, for example, amanual-based motion input source, a pneumatic-based motion input source,a hydraulic-based motion input source, an electric-based (e.g., batteryor wired) motion input source, a magnetic-based motion input source, anelectro-magnetic-based motion source, a wireless RF-based input source,among other such input sources. Coupling mechanism A and couplingmechanism B can include, for example, a snap connector mechanism orother such interlocking connector mechanism, magnetic locking mechanism,thread road locking mechanism, bolt mechanism, cam locking mechanism,latch locking mechanism, electromagnetic connector mechanism, dualorthogonal V-groove mechanism, size graduated stacked vertical elementsmechanism, multiple planar elements mechanism, tube to circular slitmechanism, retractable male element mechanism, which may be engaged ordisengaged pneumatically, electrically, manually, hydraulically, etc.

In accordance with various embodiments, interpanel connector components502, 504 have the ability to adjust their positions in response to thestress applied to the force generated by the alignment mechanism 518.This alignment can be passive or active. In certain embodiments, theinterpanel connector components are configured to absorb or otherwisereduce an amount of misalignment in the connection without compromisingthe connection.

As coupling mechanism A is advanced, alignment mechanism 518 guidescoupling mechanism A 508 into coupling mechanism B 510. The alignmentmechanism 518 allows for the adjustment of small misalignments betweencoupling mechanism A 508 and coupling mechanism B 510. In certainembodiments, coupling mechanism A 508 engages the alignment mechanism518 prior to engaging with coupling mechanism B 510. The elements of thealignment mechanism 518 can be included in either or both of the firstportion 502 of the interpanel connection component or the second portion504 of the interpanel connection component.

Motion translator 516 can engage a connector, such as the utilityconnector 300 in FIG. 3, when the motion translator 516 translatesmotion based at least in part on of a manual-based motion input source,a pneumatic-based motion input source, a hydraulic-based motion inputsource, an electric-based motion input source, a magnetic-based motioninput source, or an electro-magnetic-based motion source.

A panel sensor and communication link component 520 includes one or moresensors 522, a sensor indicator 524, and a communication link 526. In anembodiment, sensor(s) 522 can provide state information determined bysensor indicator 524 from sensor information about the connectorcomponents and the panels. The state information can be determined from,for example, sensor information such as position information,environmental information, force information, resistance information,capacitance information, pressure information, stress information,torque information, alignment information, inductance information,temperature information, humidity information, etc., associated with aconnection between panels and/or interpanel connection components.

Position information can include, for example, a position of a buildingelement with respect to a different building element and/or referencepoint. As described herein, building elements include, for example,panels, connectors, and the like. Environment information can include,for example, temperature, humidity, moisture, and other suchinformation. Force information can include, for example, an amount ofpush or pull on a building element and/or sensors coupled to thebuilding element or in proximity to the building element. Force can beassociated with both a magnitude and direction. An example unit of forceis newton. Resistance information can include, for example, an amount ofresistance between building elements and/or sensors coupled to thebuilding elements or in proximity to the building elements. An exampleunit of resistance is ohm. Capacitance information can include, forexample, an amount of capacitance between building elements and/orsensors coupled to the building elements or in proximity to the buildingelements. An example unit of capacitance is Farad. Pressure informationcan include, for example, an amount of pressure between buildingelements and/or sensors coupled to the building elements or in proximityto the building elements. An example unit of pressure is pascal. Stressinformation can include, for example, an amount of stress on a buildingelement and/or sensors coupled to the building element or in proximityto the building element. An example unit of stress can be measured inforce per area. Torque information can include, for example, an amountof torque on a building element and/or sensors coupled to the buildingelement or in proximity to the building element. An example unit oftorque can be measured in pounds-inch. Alignment information caninclude, for example, the angels and/or position of building componentswith respect to other building components and/or a reference point.

One or more types of sensors can be used to obtain such informationbetween and/or on building elements. For example, one type of sensor isa position sensor, which measures the relative position of the couplingmechanism A 508 to the coupling mechanism B 510. One variant of thistype of sensor is a proximity sensor. Another type of sensor is one thatdetects force. An example of a force sensor is a strain gauge thatsenses the amount of strain between coupling mechanism A 508 andcoupling mechanism B 510. Yet another type of force sensor is astructural pressure sensor (in contrast to a hydraulic or pneumaticpressure sensor). Another type of force sensor is a torque sensor. Eachof these sensor types may be implemented using a number ofelectro-magnetic properties, such as capacitance, inductance,resistance. Still other implementations use various optical, mechanicaland material properties.

In the case of utility connections, there may be additional sensors thatdetect the performance of the connection. For example, for electricalconnectors the electrical impedance could be measured across theconnection. For water connectors, the sensor could be a pressure sensorand/or a flow rate sensor, temperature sensor. More than one sensor typemay be used.

The sensor state may also be interrogated over the course of the life ofthe system to assist in trouble shooting utility and structural issues,and for periodic maintenance.

The state/condition of the sensor is transmitted via communication link526 to the control component 530 using one or more communicationapproaches . One of such approach is an electrical communication signal.Another such approach is an optical communication signal. Anotherapproach is an LED. Another approach is an audio signal. Anotherapproach is a haptic indicator (for example surface raises or a pop outor in pin.) Another approach is a visual indicator, such as changes incolor or display. Another approach is a visual display on a displayscreen, smart phone, tablet, computer monitor, etc. It should be notedother approaches are contemplated within the teachings described herein.

The state information can be processed to generate control informationthat can be used to control one or more components. For example, thecontrol information can be used to facilitate the coupling of theinterpanel connector elements, and algorithmically determine the optimalconnection sequence, connection speed rate, and tightening force,determined by factors such as the thermal coefficient of the panelsbased on the weather conditions, another such factor is connectingmultiple connectors simultaneously.

In accordance with various embodiments, the connection system operatesin a closed-loop system in that the actuator operating state (e.g.,power, speed, orientation, location) can be controlled by the feedbackfrom the sensor conditions. There are many possible actuator andactuator controller implementations. Consider that one simpleimplementation is an installer with a handheld electrical drill watchingthe state of an LED, such that when the LED turns on the installer turnsoff the drill. The advantage of this system is that it uses no specialequipment.

FIG. 5B illustrates a block diagram 560 showing functional elements of aconnection system similar to FIG. 5A, in accordance with an embodiment.In this example, control component 530 is a machine-based controllerwith a communication link 532, processor 534, and memory 536.Communication link 532 can include, for example, a modem, a network card(wireless or wired), an infrared communication device, etc. Memory 536can include, computer-readable storage medium representing remote,local, fixed and/or removable storage devices as well as storage mediafor temporarily and/or more permanently containing, storing,transmitting and retrieving computer-readable information. Processor 534can include, for example, at least one central processing unit (CPU).

Control component 530 is in communication with sensor array 522. Basedon the state of the sensor array, or other information such aconfiguration file, control component 530 can process the information toautomatically perform one or more actions. As described, the informationincludes, for example, position information, location information,alignment information, etc. of a connection between panels and/orinterpanel connection components, among other such information. Aconfiguration file can include, for example, instructions that whenprocessed by the appropriate component can cause panels to be coupled ina particular order and/or arrangement.

In an embodiment, information can be received at control component 530,and control component 530 can control actuator's 506 state (power,speed, orientation, location). In this example, each connection can beassociated with a file describing the details regarding a particularconnection, including time, installer name, sensor turn-off state. Inanother example, the sensor state can signal to the installer when aconnection is complete (or that a connection failed) and can direct theinstaller to the next interpanel connection component to engage when theconnection is complete. The custom actuator could also log the data foreach connection which could be used for inspector reviews or other suchpurpose. Yet another example is an actuator 506 with a torque limitersuch that when the torque exceeds a certain predetermined value theforce delivered by the actuator is mechanical disengage by a slip incoupling or the power is controlled via feedback control. An advantageto such an approach is that components can be preprogrammed for thespeed of engagement of the coupling mechanisms and the threshold fordisengaging the power to the drive of the actuator. This results in timesavings and more consistent connections. Further, the data log for eachconnection would be available for inspector reviews.

There are many possible ways the functionality in FIG. 5B can bepartitioned. For example, the controller component 530 can be integratedinto a custom handheld actuator 506. Another example is the controllercomponent 530 is centralized and can communicate to multiple interpanelconnection components 501 and hand-held actuators 506. A variation ofthe examples above is if the actuator 506 is integrated into the panels.Another example is an installer with a custom actuator.

Electrical power may be required depending on the nature of the sensorand the means of communicating the state of that sensor to the user, andcan be provided by power component 534. There are multiple ways theelectrical power could be delivered, including, for example, hardwiredor RF transmission for example. An example of powering the connectorsystem feedback system is for a custom actuator described above. Forexample, the head of the custom actuator could use an inductive coupledpower system to transmit power from the actuator to the connector systeminside of the panel. Yet another example is a direct electrical wireconnection from the custom actuator to the connector system inside ofthe panel. Another example of delivering power to the interior of theclose panels is via an extendable power system through a panel to panelconnector.

In an embodiment, multi-state processing is when multiple structural andutility connections are made in the same time period. The processorconsiders a number of different inputs and deciding hierarchy forengagement. For example, the system may tighten a predetermined numberof structural connectors to 85% then make the utility connections andthen complete the structural connections. This sequence may vary frompanel to panel. By engaging multiple connectors in the same time framecreates a smoother connection and reduces installation time. It alsoreduces the chance of a binding connection due to misalignment in thepanels.

In other embodiments, the connection system may include a securityfeature that blocks that disengagement (or engagement) of the connectorsystem by unauthorized personnel that can be enabled in a number ofdifferent ways, including, for example, the mechanical interface to theactuator, e.g. the physical shape of the actuator, may be non-standardand would require a special tool, an electronic code is required to betransmitted that allows for the mechanical coupling to occur, where themechanical couple may between the actuator and the drive mechanism orother parts of the mechanical power transmission system, and/or anelectro-magnet must be energized in order for the mechanicaltransmission system to be functional.

FIG. 6 illustrates an example process 600 for automatically couplinginterpanel connectors and/or panels in accordance with variousembodiments. It should be understood that, for any process describedherein, that there can be additional or fewer steps performed in similaror alternative orders, or in parallel, within the scope of the variousembodiments unless otherwise stated. In this example, an actuator isengaged 602 with a motion mechanism. The actuator provides, for example,the energy/power for the motion mechanism to generate a first type ofmotion. The first type of motion is translated 604 into a second type ofmotion, where the first type of motion can be rotational motion and thesecond type of motion can be directional motion along a particular path.Rotational motion can include motion around a fixed axis or about afixed axis of revolution or motion with respect to a fixed axis ofrotation. Directional motion can be motion in a particular direction orpath with respect to a coordinate system such as the Cartesiancoordinate system. The second type of motion can advance 606 a firstcoupling mechanism to engage a second coupling mechanism. In accordancewith an embodiment, the first coupling mechanism can be associated witha first portion of an interpanel connection component and the secondcoupling mechanism is associated with a second portion of the interpanelconnection component, where a first building panel includes the firstportion of an interpanel connection component and a second buildingpanel includes the second portion of the interpanel connectioncomponent. Advancing the first and second coupling mechanisms canarrange 608 the first building panel and the second building panel in atleast a portion of a substantially closed shape of a structure.

State information is obtained 610. The state information can be obtainedat, for example, a control component or another appropriate component.The state information can be determined from, for example, informationsuch as position information, environmental information, forceinformation, resistance information, capacitance information, pressureinformation, stress information, torque information, alignmentinformation, etc., associated with a connection between panels and/orinterpanel connection components and collected by one or more sensors.

The state information can be compared 612 to an appropriate threshold.Thresholds can include, at least one of a position threshold, resistancethreshold, capacitance threshold, inductance threshold, pressurethreshold, torque threshold, stress threshold, temperature threshold, orhumidity threshold. In an embodiment, a threshold can be dynamicallyupdated. For example, a threshold can be updated based on a particularproject, work environment, sensor information or other such information.The type of threshold(s) used can be based on the type of stateinformation obtained. For example, state information that includesposition information and resistance information may be compared againsta position threshold and/or resistance threshold. Whether thethreshold(s) is satisfied can be based on comparison score thatconsiders the number of comparisons. In certain embodiments, thecomparison score can be a weighted score, where individual comparisonsmay be weighted.

A determination 613 is made whether the state information satisfies theappropriate threshold. In the situation where the state informationsatisfies the threshold, the next panel and/or connector can beprocessed 614. In certain embodiments, a notification can be presented.The notification can include at least one of a visual notification, anaudible notification, a haptic notification, a digital signal, an analogsignal, or an electronic message notification. The process can continue615 until a threshold number of panels are processed or another stopcondition is met. For example, an automated connector system or othersuch system can receive instructions to perform steps to couple the nextset of panels and/or connectors in accordance with embodiments describedherein. In various embodiments, at least one optimization technique canbe used to couple building components within a threshold deviation basedat least in part on state information or other such control signals. Theprocess can continue and the coupled building panels can define at leasta portion of a structure, where the connection components can support atleast a portion of a load associated with the structure or transfer of autility through a portion of the structure.

In the situation where the state information does not satisfy thethreshold, the state information is processed 616 to generate 618control information. The control information can be used to control 620one or more components. For example, control information can be used toadjust one of power, speed, orientation, location of an actuator. Inanother example, the control information can be used to cause anactuator to engage with a motion mechanism. In yet another embodiment,an optimization technique can be used to couple coupling within athreshold deviation based at least in part on state information or othersuch control signals. This can include, for example, maximizing orminimizing the state information, or otherwise finding “best available”or values that satisfy one or more thresholds. In certain embodiments,models can be trained, and the trained models can be utilized todetermine position of components that satisfy one or more thresholds,including, for example, position thresholds, safety thresholds, etc. Theprocess can continue, where coupled building panels can define at leasta portion of a structure and the connection components Additionally, oralternatively, in certain embodiments, a notification can be presentedindicating that the current panels have yet to be processed, manualinspection is needed, user-input is required, among other such actions.Thereafter, current state information is obtained and the processcontinues as described herein.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a foundation adaptive interface inaccordance with an embodiment. In this example, a precision framingsystem is configured to be able to compensate for irregularities in thefoundation (e.g., pile, pier, slab, post) such as in the situation wherethere is an irregularity in a stem wall 710, where the top of the stemwall is not parallel to true horizontal 720. It should be noted thatmost concrete poured foundations go through a settling process. It istherefore difficult to ascertain the system a priori; rather theirregularities must be compensated for at the time of installation.

An adaptive interface 700 shows a means of compensating for thisirregularity, using a plate 730 resting on adjustable standoff elements740, that are centered on anchor bolts 750. The adjustable standoffs areadjusted by the installer using a leveling system.

An alternative to this is to simply scribe the plate 730 to compensatefor the irregularities in the stem wall 710. The top plate would bepositioned between the foundation and stem wall 710 and the wall orfloor panels.

Still another alternative embodiment is a cross section of a stem wall,with a deviation from true horizontal. A U-shaped metal element runs thelength of the stem wall. The trough of the U-shaped metal element (to beknown as the wall panel guide) is aligned with true horizontal byadjustable standoffs centered on anchor bolts. The wall panel guideserves as a cradle for a wall panel, which effectively extends the stemwall and acts as a support for a floor panel.

An aspect of the system is the alignment of adjacent panels usingalignment elements as shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B, 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, and 10. Inaccordance with various embodiments, different types of alignmentaccounted for include panel alignment and alignment between elements ofthe interpanel connection elements. This section is dedicated to thepanel alignment. It is the panel alignment which places the panels inthe proper position prior to connection. Panel alignment mechanisms areresponsible in part for minimizing tolerance stack-up in the panels.Panel alignment places connector component pairs with sufficientaccuracy such that any offset between connector component pairs iswithin the range of the connector system to absorb the stress applied bythe connector alignment mechanisms.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate an example of an interpanel element pair 800.In this example, the alignment dimensions are d1 and d2. d2=d1+A, whereA is typically on the order of 0.5 mm. Panel alignment element 810engages with panel alignment element 820. A feature of the panelalignment mechanism is the ability to initially engage the two adjacentpanels with a relatively large offset from true position and to reducethe offset as the alignment elements become fully engaged.

There are many types of possible panel alignment implementations: 1)dual orthogonal V-groove, 2) size graduated stacked vertical elements,3) multiple planar elements, and 4) tube to circular slit. Otherimplementation options include, for example, a retractable “maleelement,” which may be engaged or disengaged pneumatically,electrically, manually, hydraulically, etc. Active panel alignmentelements using electromagnetic forces, for example. Panel alignmentelements combined with connectors (utility or structural). Pass shearforces through the alignment elements—good for protection inearthquakes, allowing alignment pins pop off at a specified forcerating.

The alignment components can be multipurpose. For example, one purposecan include the alignment of the panels. Another purpose can includebeing used as calibrated week point in the panel-to-panel connectionsystem so that in a seismic event the alignment connectors would be thefirst to fail. The alignment connecters can also be designed toautomatically reposition themselves after a seismic event resulting inrealignment of the panels to their original position.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D illustrate different views of an embodiment of aninterpanel connection system 900. FIG. 9A shows a front perspectivesectional view of the interpanel connection system 900. Element 910 is awall panel. Element 920 is the male portion of the alignment system,that is attached to the wall panel 910. Element 940 is a floor panel.Element 930 is the female portion of the alignment system. In oneembodiment, the male portion of the alignment element 920 is conicallyshaped, tapered to a cross section that is slightly smaller than thebase of the female portion of the alignment element 930. A certain typeof panel alignment can also be designed with a locking mechanism for asingle use application. Once it is engaged, it won't be, or at least isdifficult to retract without damage to the panel or some othercomponent. FIG. 9B provides a close-up perspective view of the maleportion of the alignment element 920 and female portion of the alignmentelement 930 in the interpanel connection system 900. FIG. 9C provides aclose-up front view of the interpanel connection system 900, showing thealignment of the male portion of the alignment element 920 and femaleportion of the alignment element 930. FIG. 9D shows a close upperspective sectional view of the alignment of the male portion of thealignment element 920 and female portion of the alignment element 930 inthe interpanel connection system 900.

FIG. 10 shows an alternative panel alignment system 1000. Element 1010is a wall panel and element 1040 is a floor panel. Element 1020 andelement 1030 are electro-magnetic couplers of opposite polarities whenenergized. When the elements 1020 and 1030 are energized they create anelectromagnetic filed which pulls the wall panel 1010 and floor panel1040 together and locks it in place. Note that it is possible to createa hybrid system which combines both types of elements in single elementor co-existing separate elements on the sample panel. In an embodiment,the utility connection alignment satisfies precision for water and wasteconnections. One method of accomplishing this is through floatingutility connection, by using piping that is flexible prior to attachingto the utility side of the male and female connectors. Another way is tocreate a semi floating connector that has a small degree of adjustmentto allow for any misalignment between the connectors.

FIG. 11 illustrates a set of basic components of an electronic computingdevice. In various embodiments, computer system 1100 may be used toimplement any of the systems, devices, or methods described herein. Insome embodiments, computer system 1100 may correspond to any of thevarious devices described herein, including, but not limited, to mobiledevices, tablet computing devices, wearable devices, personal or laptopcomputers, vehicle-based computing devices, or other devices or systemsdescribed herein. As shown in FIG. 11, computer system 1100 can includevarious subsystems connected by a bus 1102. The subsystems may includean I/O device subsystem 1104, a display device subsystem 1106, and astorage subsystem 1110 including one or more computer-readable storagemedia 1108. The subsystems may also include a memory subsystem 1112, acommunication subsystem 1120, and a processing subsystem 1122.

In system 1100, bus 1102 facilitates communication between the varioussubsystems. Although a single bus 1102 is shown, alternative busconfigurations may also be used. Bus 1102 may include any bus or othercomponents to facilitate such communication as is known to one ofordinary skill in the art. Examples of such bus systems may include alocal bus, parallel bus, serial bus, bus network, and/or multiple bussystems coordinated by a bus controller. Bus 1102 may include one ormore buses implementing various standards such as Parallel ATA, serialATA, Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Extended ISA (EISA) bus,MicroChannel Architecture (MCA) bus, Peripheral Component Interconnect(PCI) bus, or any other architecture or standard as is known in the art.

In some embodiments, I/O device subsystem 1104 may include various inputand/or output devices or interfaces for communicating with such devices.Such devices may include, without limitation, a touch screen or othertouch-sensitive input device, a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, a motionsensor or other movement-based gesture recognition device, a scrollwheel, a click wheel, a dial, a button, a switch, audio recognitiondevices configured to receive voice commands, microphones, image capturebased devices such as eye activity monitors configured to recognizecommands based on eye movement or blinking, and other types of inputdevices. I/O device subsystem 1104 may also include identification orauthentication devices, such as fingerprint scanners, voiceprintscanners, iris scanners, or other biometric sensors or detectors. Invarious embodiments, I/O device subsystem may include audio outputdevices, such as speakers, media players, or other output devices.

Computer system 1100 may include a display device subsystem 1106.Display device subsystem may include one or more lights, such as one ormore light emitting diodes (LEDs), LED arrays, a liquid crystal display(LCD) or plasma display or other flat-screen display, a touch screen, ahead-mounted display or other wearable display device, a projectiondevice, a cathode ray tube (CRT), and any other display technologyconfigured to visually convey information. In various embodiments,display device subsystem 1106 may include a controller and/or interfacefor controlling and/or communicating with an external display, such asany of the above-mentioned display technologies.

As shown in FIG. 11, system 1100 may include storage subsystem 1110including various computer-readable storage media 1108, such as harddisk drives, solid-state drives (including RAM-based and/or flash-basedSSDs), or other storage devices. In various embodiments,computer-readable storage media 1108 can be configured to storesoftware, including programs, code, or other instructions, that isexecutable by a processor to provide the functionality described herein.For example, the instructions, when executed, can enable a computingdevice to perform automated document negotiation in accordance with thepresent disclosure may be embodied on a computer-readable medium. Thismay include automatically obtaining information from parties seeking tonegotiate document sections of a document such as a contract; generatinga ranking value or other such document selection value for a pluralityof candidate contracts possible between the parties based on informationfrom the parties, including their preferences for different sections(e.g., provisions) of the contract; and using the values to optimize anoptimization function (e.g., a cost function or other such function)that measures the degree to which candidate contracts satisfy theinformation provided by the parties to determine a document or documentinformation that satisfies constraints of the parties.

In some embodiments, storage system 1110 may include various data storesor repositories or interface with various data stores or repositoriesthat store data used with embodiments described herein. Such data storesmay include, databases, object storage systems and services, data lakesor other data warehouse services or systems, distributed data stores,cloud-based storage systems and services, file systems, and any otherdata storage system or service. In some embodiments, storage system 1110can include a media reader, card reader, or other storage interfaces tocommunicate with one or more external and/or removable storage devices.In various embodiments, computer-readable storage media 1108 can includeany appropriate storage medium or combination of storage media. Forexample, computer-readable storage media 1108 can include, but is notlimited to, any one or more of random access memory (RAM), read-onlymemory (ROM), electronically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flashmemory or other memory technology, optical storage (e.g., CD-ROM,digital versatile disk (DVD), Blu-ray® disk or other optical storagedevice), magnetic storage (e.g., tape drives, cassettes, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices). In some embodiments,computer-readable storage media can include data signals or any othermedium through which data can be transmitted and/or received.

Memory subsystem 1112 can include various types of memory, includingRAM, ROM, flash memory, or other memory. Memory 1112 can include SRAM(static RAM) or DRAM (dynamic RAM). In some embodiments, memory 1112 caninclude a BIOS (basic input/output system) or other firmware configuredto manage initialization of various components during, e.g., startup. Asshown in FIG. 11, memory 1112 can include applications 1114 andapplication data 1116. Applications 1114 may include programs, code, orother instructions, that can be executed by a processor. Applications1114 can include various applications such as browser clients, campaignmanagement applications, data management applications, and any otherapplication. Application data 1116 can include any data produced and/orconsumed by applications 1114. Memory 1112 can additionally includeoperating system 1118, such as macOS®, Windows®, Linux®, various UNIX®or UNIX- or Linux-based operating systems, or other operating systems.

System 1100 can also include a communication subsystem 1120 configuredto facilitate communication between system 1100 and various externalcomputer systems and/or networks (such as the Internet, a local areanetwork (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a mobile network, or any othernetwork). Communication subsystem 1120 can include hardware and/orsoftware to enable communication over various wired (such as Ethernet orother wired communication technology) or wireless communicationchannels, such as radio transceivers to facilitate communication overwireless networks, mobile or cellular voice and/or data networks, WiFinetworks, or other wireless communication networks. Additionally, oralternatively, communication subsystem 1120 can include hardware and/orsoftware components to communicate with satellite-based or ground-basedlocation services, such as GPS (global positioning system). In someembodiments, communication subsystem 1120 may include, or interfacewith, various hardware or software sensors. The sensors may beconfigured to provide continuous or and/or periodic data or data streamsto a computer system through communication subsystem 1120.

As shown in FIG. 11, processing system 1122 can include one or moreprocessors or other devices operable to control computing system 1100.Such processors can include single-core processors 1124, multi-coreprocessors, which can include central processing units (CPUs), graphicalprocessing units (GPUs), application specific integrated circuits(ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs) or any other generalized orspecialized microprocessor or integrated circuit. Various processorswithin processing system 1122, such as processors 1124 and 1126, may beused independently or in combination depending on the application.

Various other configurations are may also be used, with particularelements that are depicted as being implemented in hardware may insteadbe implemented in software, firmware, or a combination thereof. One ofordinary skill in the art will recognize various alternatives to thespecific embodiments described herein.

Various other configurations are may also be used, with particularelements that are depicted as being implemented in hardware may insteadbe implemented in software, firmware, or a combination thereof. One ofordinary skill in the art will recognize various alternatives to thespecific embodiments described herein.

The various embodiments can be implemented in a wide variety ofoperating environments, which in some cases can include one or more usercomputers or computing devices which can be used to operate any of anumber of applications. User or client devices can include any of anumber of general-purpose personal computers, such as desktop or laptopcomputers running a standard operating system, as well as cellular,wireless and handheld devices running mobile software and capable ofsupporting a number of networking and messaging protocols. Such a systemcan also include a number of workstations running any of a variety ofcommercially available operating systems and other known applicationsfor purposes such as development and database management. These devicescan also include other electronic devices, such as dummy terminals,thin-clients, gaming systems and other devices capable of communicatingvia a network.

Most embodiments utilize at least one network that would be familiar tothose skilled in the art for supporting communications using any of avariety of commercially available protocols, such as TCP/IP, FTP, UPnP,NFS, and CIFS. The network can be, for example, a local area network, awide-area network, a virtual private network, the internet, an intranet,an extranet, a public switched telephone network, an infrared network, awireless network and any combination thereof.

In embodiments utilizing a web server, the web server can run any of avariety of server or mid-tier applications, including HTTP servers, FTPservers, CGI servers, data servers, Java servers and businessapplication servers. The server(s) may also be capable of executingprograms or scripts in response requests from user devices, such as byexecuting one or more web applications that may be implemented as one ormore scripts or programs written in any programming language, such asJava®, C, C# or C++ or any scripting language, such as Perl, Python orTCL, as well as combinations thereof. The server(s) may also includedatabase servers, including without limitation those commerciallyavailable from Oracle®, Microsoft®, Sybase® and IBM®.

The environment can include a variety of data stores and other memoryand storage media as discussed above. These can reside in a variety oflocations, such as on a storage medium local to (and/or resident in) oneor more of the computers or remote from any or all of the computersacross the network. In a particular set of embodiments, the informationmay reside in a storage-area network (SAN) familiar to those skilled inthe art. Similarly, any necessary files for performing the functionsattributed to the computers, servers or other network devices may bestored locally and/or remotely, as appropriate. Where a system includescomputerized devices, each such device can include hardware elementsthat may be electrically coupled via a bus, the elements including, forexample, at least one central processing unit (CPU), at least one inputdevice (e.g., a mouse, keyboard, controller, touch-sensitive displayelement or keypad) and at least one output device (e.g., a displaydevice, printer or speaker). Such a system may also include one or morestorage devices, such as disk drives, optical storage devices andsolid-state storage devices such as random-access memory (RAM) orread-only memory (ROM), as well as removable media devices, memorycards, flash cards, etc.

Such devices can also include a computer-readable storage media reader,a communications device (e.g., a modem, a network card (wireless orwired), an infrared communication device) and working memory asdescribed above. The computer-readable storage media reader can beconnected with, or configured to receive, a computer-readable storagemedium representing remote, local, fixed and/or removable storagedevices as well as storage media for temporarily and/or more permanentlycontaining, storing, transmitting and retrieving computer-readableinformation. The system and various devices also typically will includea number of software applications, modules, services or other elementslocated within at least one working memory device, including anoperating system and application programs such as a client applicationor web browser. It should be appreciated that alternate embodiments mayhave numerous variations from that described above. For example,customized hardware might also be used, and/or particular elements mightbe implemented in hardware, software (including portable software, suchas applets) or both. Further, connection to other computing devices suchas network input/output devices may be employed.

Storage media and other non-transitory computer-readable media forcontaining code, or portions of code, can include any appropriate mediaknown or used in the art, including storage media and communicationmedia, such as but not limited to volatile and non-volatile, removableand non-removable media implemented in any method or technology forstorage of information such as computer-readable instructions, datastructures, program modules or other data, including RAM, ROM, EEPROM,flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disk(DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape,magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices or any othermedium which can be used to store the desired information and which canbe accessed by a system device. Based on the disclosure and teachingsprovided herein, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciateother ways and/or methods to implement the various embodiments.

The methods, systems, and devices discussed above are examples. Variousconfigurations may omit, substitute, or add various procedures orcomponents as appropriate. For instance, in alternative configurations,the methods may be performed in an order different from that described,and that various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Also,features described with respect to certain configurations may becombined in various other configurations. Different aspects and elementsof the configurations may be combined in a similar manner. Also,technology evolves and, thus, many of the elements are examples and donot limit the scope of the disclosure or claims.

The methods, systems, and devices discussed above are described withreference to block diagrams and/or operational illustrations of methods,systems, and computer program products according to embodiments of thepresent disclosure. The functions/acts noted in the blocks may occur outof the order as shown in any flowchart. For example, two blocks shown insuccession may in fact be executed substantially concurrent or theblocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending uponthe functionality/acts involved. Additionally, or alternatively, not allof the blocks shown in any flowchart need to be performed and/orexecuted. For example, if a given flowchart has five blocks containingfunctions/acts, it may be the case that only three of the five blocksare performed and/or executed. In this example, any of the three of thefive blocks may be performed and/or executed.

Specific details are given in the description to provide a thoroughunderstanding of example configurations (including implementations).However, configurations may be practiced without these specific details.For example, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, andtechniques have been shown without unnecessary detail to avoid obscuringthe configurations. This description provides example configurationsonly, and does not limit the scope, applicability, or configurations ofthe claims. Rather, the above description of the configurations willprovide those skilled in the art with an enabling description forimplementing described techniques. Various changes may be made in thefunction and arrangement of elements without departing from the spiritor scope of the disclosure.

Having described several example configurations, various modifications,alternative constructions, and equivalents may be used without departingfrom the spirit of the disclosure. For example, the above elements maybe components of a larger system, wherein other rules may takeprecedence over or otherwise modify the application of variousimplementations or techniques of the present disclosure. Also, a numberof steps may be undertaken before, during, or after the above elementsare considered.

Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or to “an embodiment”means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic describedin connection with the embodiments is included in at least one exampleimplementation or technique in accordance with the present disclosure.The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places inthe specification are not necessarily all referring to the sameembodiment.

Unless specifically stated otherwise as apparent from the followingdiscussion, it is appreciated that throughout the description,discussions utilizing terms such as “processing” or “computing” or“calculating” or “determining” or “displaying” or the like, refer to theaction and processes of a computer system, or similar electroniccomputing device, that manipulates and transforms data represented asphysical (electronic) quantities within the computer system memories orregisters or other such information storage, transmission or displaydevices. Portions of the present disclosure include processes andinstructions that may be embodied in software, firmware or hardware, andwhen embodied in software, may be downloaded to reside on and beoperated from different platforms used by a variety of operatingsystems.

In addition, the language used in the specification has been principallyselected for readability and instructional purposes and may not havebeen selected to delineate or circumscribe the disclosed subject matter.Accordingly, the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative, andnot limiting, of the scope of the concepts discussed herein.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the disclosed embodiments (especially in thecontext of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both thesingular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearlycontradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,”and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning“including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. The term“connected” is to be construed as partly or wholly contained within,attached to, or joined together, even if there is something intervening.Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as ashorthand method of referring individually to each separate valuefalling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein and eachseparate value is incorporated into the specification as if it wereindividually recited herein. All methods described herein can beperformed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein orotherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and allexamples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, isintended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the disclosure anddoes not pose a limitation on the scope of the disclosure unlessotherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construedas indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice ofthe disclosure.

Disjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, or Z,”unless specifically stated otherwise, is intended to be understoodwithin the context as used in general to present that an item, term,etc., may be either X, Y, or Z, or any combination thereof (e.g., X, Y,and/or Z). Thus, such disjunctive language is not generally intended to,and should not, imply that certain embodiments require at least one ofX, at least one of Y, or at least one of Z to each be present.

The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in anillustrative rather than a restrictive sense. It will, however, beevident that various modifications and changes may be made thereuntowithout departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention asset forth in the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A building panel, comprising: a building panel frame configured to contain at least one interpanel connection component; and an interpanel connection component contained within the building panel frame, the interpanel connection component including one of a structural connector or a utility connector, the structural connector configured to support a portion of a load associated with a structure, the utility connector configured to transfer a utility through at least a portion of the building panel frame.
 2. The building panel of claim 1, further including: a sensor configured to determine state information associated with the interpanel connection component.
 3. The building panel of claim 2, wherein the state information includes at least one of position information, environmental information, force information, resistance information, capacitance information, pressure information, stress information, torque information, or alignment information.
 4. The building panel of claim 1, further including: a first alignment element associated with an alignment mechanism, wherein the first alignment element is configured to engage a second alignment element associated with the alignment mechanism to facilitate coupling the building panel with a second building panel, the second alignment element associated with the second building panel.
 5. The building panel of claim 4, wherein the first alignment element is part of one of a dual orthogonal v-groove panel alignment mechanism, a size graduated stacked vertical alignment mechanism, a multiple planar alignment mechanism, a tube to circular slit alignment mechanism, or a retractable alignment mechanism.
 6. The building panel of claim 1, further including: one of a pneumatic assist, a hydraulic assist, an electric motor assist, an electromagnetic assist, or a portable battery assist to engage at least one of a pair of alignment elements, a pair of building panels, or a pair of interpanel connection components.
 7. The building panel of claim 6, wherein the pair of interpanel connection components includes at least one structural connector, utility connector, or combination structural and utility connector.
 8. The building panel of claim 1, further including: at least one of a moisture control barrier, a temperature control layer, a weathering layer, an insulation layer, a fire protection layer, a window frame, or a door frame.
 9. The building panel of claim 1, further comprising: a combination structural and utility connector.
 10. A building system, comprising: a building panel associated with a plurality of building panels, the building panel including an interpanel connection component, the interpanel connection component including one of a structural connector or a utility connector, the structural connector configured to support a portion of a load associated with a structure, the utility connector configured to transfer a utility through at least a portion of the building panel.
 11. The building system of claim 10, wherein embedded in the building panel is a panel alignment element.
 12. The building system of claim 10, further including: one of a pneumatic assist, a hydraulic assist, an electric motor assist, an electromagnetic assist, or a portable battery assist to engage at least one of a pair of alignment elements, a pair of building panels, or a pair of interpanel connection components.
 13. The building system of claim 10, wherein a width dimension, a length dimension, and a height dimension of the building panel satisfy respective dimension thresholds over a range of values for at least one environmental condition.
 14. The building system of claim 10, wherein at least one of the plurality of building panels includes a combination structural and utility connector, the combination structural and utility connector configured to support a first portion of a load associated with a structure, align a pair of building panels of the plurality of building panels, or transfer utility through a second portion of the structure.
 15. The building system of claim 10, further including: a sensor configured to determine state information associated with the interpanel connection component, wherein the state information includes at least one of position information, environmental information, force information, resistance information, capacitance information, pressure information, stress information, torque information, or alignment information.
 16. The building system of claim 10, further including an electro-magnetic coupler operable to couple at least a pair of building panels of the plurality of building panels.
 17. A building system, comprising: a plurality of interpanel connection components configured to at least couple a first building panel of a plurality of building panels to a second building panel of the plurality of building panels, wherein coupling the first building panel to the second building panel enables at least one of supporting a first portion of a load associated with a structure by at least one interpanel connection component of the plurality of interpanel connection components or enabling transfer of a utility through a second portion of the structure by the at least one interpanel connection component.
 18. The building system of claim 17, wherein at least one of the plurality of building panels includes a combination structural and utility connector, the combination structural and utility connector configured to support a first portion of a load associated with a structure, align a pair of building panels of the plurality of building panels, or transfer utility through a second portion of the structure.
 19. The building system of claim 17, further including: a first alignment element associated with the first building panel; and a second alignment element associated with the second building panel, wherein the first alignment element is configured to engage the second alignment element to facilitate coupling the first building panel with the second building panel.
 20. The building system of claim 19, further including: one of a pneumatic assist, a hydraulic assist, an electric motor assist, an electromagnetic assist, or battery powered assist to engage at least one of a pair of alignment elements, a pair of building panels, or a pair of interpanel connection components, wherein the pair of interpanel connection components includes at least one structural connector, utility connector, or combination structural and utility connector. 